Fortuna Foothills, AZ Tornado History — 9 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Fortuna Foothills, AZ had?
Fortuna Foothills has had 9 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Fortuna Foothills?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Fortuna Foothills was an EF0 on October 13, 2018.
When is tornado season in Fortuna Foothills?
September is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Fortuna Foothills, with 4 on record. Spring through early summer (April–June) generally sees the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Fortuna Foothills
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 1 total, averaging 0.1 per year over this window.
Tornadoes by Decade
Tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita Rating
F0–F5 ratings (pre-2007) are grouped with their EF equivalents. The Enhanced Fujita scale replaced the original Fujita scale in February 2007.
Tornadoes by Month
Have any tornadoes near Fortuna Foothills been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Fortuna Foothills from any of the 9 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Fortuna Foothills
About Tornadoes in Fortuna Foothills
This overview was written April 23, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.
Fortuna Foothills, Arizona has experienced 9 tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This relatively modest total reflects the community's location in the southwestern desert, where atmospheric conditions conducive to tornado formation occur far less frequently than in the central and eastern United States. None of these tornadoes resulted in fatalities, and the majority remained weak, with 5 rated EF0 and 3 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on observed damage.
The most significant event on record occurred on August 17, 1959, when an F2 tornado caused $275,000 in property damage. This tornado, which had a maximum width of 200 yards and traveled just 0.1 miles, stands as both the costliest and widest tornado documented near Fortuna Foothills. The longest-tracked tornado was an F0 that traveled 10.0 miles on August 11, 2006, though it caused no damage or injuries. The most recent tornado touched down on October 14, 2018, an EF0 event with a 0.1-mile path that also produced no damage.
Tornado activity near Fortuna Foothills has been sporadic across the decades, with the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s each recording 2 events, while the 1950s, 2000s, and 2010s each saw 1 tornado. Notably, September has been the peak month for tornado occurrence in the area, accounting for 4 of the 9 recorded events. This late-summer concentration likely relates to the North American monsoon season, when increased moisture from the Gulf of California combines with daytime heating to generate thunderstorms capable of producing brief, typically weak tornadoes in the desert Southwest.
While tornadoes can develop under the right atmospheric conditions anywhere in the United States, the arid climate and typical weather patterns of southwestern Arizona result in far fewer tornado days compared to regions with more frequent severe thunderstorm activity. Residents should remain aware that tornadoes, though infrequent, remain a possibility during the monsoon months and when unusual weather systems move through the region.